The Environment Council of Rhode Island will hold a press conference featuring comments from elected officials, state leaders from the fishing industry, and the environmental community to discuss Rhode Island’s strong opposition to the Trump administration's proposal to lift the long-standing ban on offshore fossil fuel drilling in large swaths of US coastal waters.

Amy Moses, Vice President and Director, Conservation Law Foundation RI

Governor Raimondo has requested the Secretary of Interior exempt Rhode Island from the decision to lift the offshore drilling ban. Senator Euer and Representative Carson have introduced legislation that would prohibit any drilling activity in Rhode Island's state waters as well as the construction of any infrastructure to bring drilled fossil fuels onshore. Mayor Avedisian, Chris Brown, and Amy Moses will discuss the negative impacts lifting the offshore drilling prohibitions will have on Rhode Island's economy and environment.

MORE INFORMATION – On January 4, 2018, the Department of the Interior announced a proposal that could significantly expand the areas available for offshore oil and gas leases – potentially making over 90 percent of the total offshore acreage controlled by the Federal government available for exploration and development. It also proposes the largest number of lease sales in US history (25 out of 26 planning regions on all coasts).

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which is part of the Department of the Interior, must follow an extensive process for evaluating this initial proposal and has scheduled public meetings around the country. BOEM has rescheduled its public event in Providence for Wednesday, February 28, 2018 from 3 to 7 PM at the Providence Marriott, 1 Orms St.